The surface of the earth is the shore of the cosmic ocean. On this shore, we've learned most of what we know. Recently we've waded a little way out, maybe ankle deep, and the water seems inviting. Some part of our being knows this is where we came from. We've longed to return, and we can, because the cosmos is also within us, we're made of star stuff, we are a way for the cosmos to know itself."--Carl Sagan

About Me

Ikenna Achilihu

Born in Nigeria, but raised in the U.S. I attended Brown University with a degree in Human Biology and after a year and half of waiting, I've finally done it. This blog will serve as a chronicle of my experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Sierra Leone and depending on how enterprising I am, any adventures thereafter. Enjoy!

Search This Blog

31 December 2010

It's interesting how this is the first food-related post of mine as a PCV given all the interesting mishaps and successes we have all had with local food here in Sierra Leone!

Ok so during the early days as a freshly minted Peace Corps volunteer, back when everything was so new, foreign, intimidating (still seems that way sometimes!), and exciting, I decided to do a random food experiement. I was bored one day and had on me a bag of raw palm kernels, some salt, a loaf of locally made white bread, and a killer appetite. This was back when I was still trying to navigate the complex foodways of Bumbuna, Sierra Leone and didn't quite know what my next meal would be. What would seem like a random vichyssoise of ingredients to most people was to me at the time a complete meal! So thus began the experiment...

Behold the palm kernels

You take a piece of bread, dipped in a small amount of salt (Iodized if your feeling fancy that particular day) and take a bite

You take one palm kernel (Your fingers may get stained in the process...don't worry, this is normal)

And take a sizeable bit of the selected palm kernel, taking care to leave behind the stringy pulp, with the salted bread still in mouth

Then chew chew chew the mish-mash together, taking note of the ohh so complex, bitter and oily undertones of the palm kernels and the way they blend together with the salty, earthiness of the locally made bread, all up in your mouth, giving you a satisfying and memorable eating experience!!...Then Repeat at least 15 times...or at least until you feel like throwing up, it's your call ;)

Note: I'm not responsible for any unintentional staining of the lips, teeth, clothing, and/or fingers during this experience.

0
comments:

Disclaimer

Please note that the contents of this website pertaining to my service in the Peace Corps and the views expressed herein are solely mine and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.